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More than 200 children at institutions in Montevideo were treated to Big Macs Thursday (Nov. 20) as the U.S. Embassy participated in the McDonald’s fundraiser “McDia Feliz.”

Lt. Col. Scott Messinger of the Office of Defense Cooperation in the embassy, collected money from embassy employees to purchase 213 Big Macs. Messinger and his staff delivered them Thursday to three orphanages, as well as to a school for the visually impaired and a shelter for abused girls.

McDonald’s restaurants in Montevideo joined McDonald’s around the world, donating proceeds from the sale of Big Macs to charities involving children. In Uruguay, the money was earmarked for Peluffo Giguens Pediatric Cancer Center, which is raising funds to build a house where pediatric patients can stay with their parents while having treatment.

Ambassador Martin J. and Mrs. Audrey Silverstein, supporters of Peluffo Giguens, pitched in by assembling and serving Big Macs at the McDonald’s in the Montevideo Shopping Mall. The Silversteins were joined by Political Officer Joyce Wong and the Uruguayan premiere basketball team. Rubek Orlando of the Embassy’s press section volunteered his time earlier that day.

Prominent Uruguayans, including Minister of the Interior Guillermo Stirling and Sportscaster/Entrepreneur Julio Sanchez Padilla, donated their time to cook and serve Big Macs in McDonald’s throughout Montevideo.

Ed Sanchez, president of McDonald’s Latin America, said McDia Feliz is part of a worldwide program, called “World Children’s Day” in the U.S., and coincides with the United Nation’s World Children’s Day. He said last year sale of Big Macs worldwide on this day earned $10 million, which was donated to various charities in each country.

This is the third year the U.S. Embassy, Montevideo, has participated.

Workers at Tres Cruces McDonald's keep up with the frenzy for Big Macs during McDia Feliz.	Lt. Col. Scott Messinger, Antonio Mangado, manager of Tres Cruces McDonald's pack boxes of Big Macs to be delivered to orphanages.
Children at orphanage near Tres Cruces Shopping applaud Messinger and Big Macs for lunch.	Messinger delivers to Hogar la Siembra orphanage
Another stop at the school for visually impaired children	From left: Mrs. Silverstein, Ed Sanchez, president of McDonalds Latin America; Woods Staton, president of McDonald's South Cone; Ambassador Silverstein; Raul Mandia, president of McDonald's Uruguay
Ambassador Silverstein makes Big Macs alongside member of Uruguayan basketball team at McDonald's in Montevideo Shopping. .	Mrs. Silverstein takes orders for Big Macs.
Ambassador Silverstein with McDonald's employee.	Economic/Commercial Officer Joyce Wong serves drinks at McDonald's at Montevideo Shopping

 

 

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